Lily Lozovsky
After a Project Incite Shabbat dinner in my living room, I would agree with my friend Rena Staub in saying that we are “post-denominational Jews,” ever evolving in our views of the world and of ourselves. I am personally transformed through belonging to a group of truth seeking, devoted Jews, whose differences become irrelevant against our sense of purpose and higher calling. While it may seem that we suffer from a lack of self-definition I would argue that we have returned to an age old definition that we once received. We are “bnei yisrael,” children wrestling, in constant flux within ourselves and our societies, unclear at times whether the victors or the defeated but certain at all times to be in motion. We exhibit a commitment not to become offended, to wrestle in dialogue more interested in understanding than in being understood. And ironically, finding understanding in the safety of the collective, among our siblings who we realize are not wrestling with us, but alongside us.
Well said Lily! Our lack of self-definition is exactly what defines us and gives us the drive to meet the challenge and struggle of working with today’s Jewish teens where for many these are the defining years for them in deciding how Judaism will play a role in their lives as they become adults and branch out on their own! ~ Jodi :)
ReplyDeleteDo you think that belonging to a specific denomination is a generational thing? Will teenagers identify with a denomination in the future? What does this mean for denominational Judaism?
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